The Global Green-Gray Community of Practice brings together designers, engineers, policymakers, funders, and communities to advance infrastructure that integrates traditional "gray" solutions with green, nature-based approaches — building more sustainable and resilient systems for people and nature.
From problems...
Green-gray infrastructure solutions have been developed but still remain largely underutilized by engineers and practitioners worldwide. By embracing these innovative solutions, understanding their impact, and scaling their implementation we can help reverse biodiversity loss and confront climate challenges head-on.
To progress
The Global Green-Gray Community is an international group and online hub that connects people and projects to:
Innovate green-gray approaches to redefine infrastructure as a driver of restoration and resilience.
Advance science, engineering, and policy efforts.
Increase awareness of green-gray infrastructure’s applications across geographies and settings.
Grow a community to drive adoption and unlock access to finances for these projects.
Our active community
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Leading a group of eager community members through a town in Northeast Brazil to spark discussions and explore where the implementation of green-gray infrastructure could be useful to bring lasting change.
© Conservation International -
Wrapping up a weeklong workshop in Joao Pessoa, Brazil, college students are presenting the concepts and ideas they have developed for green-gray infrastructure, combining their shared knowledge.
© Conservation International -
Workshop participants collaborating in small groups to co-create presentations focused on infrastructure solutions.
© Conservation International -
G3CoP Project Coordinator Alice Piva engages a crowd passionate about green-gray solutions and protecting nature, sharing her insights and sparking meaningful conversations.
© Conservation International -
College student participants present their ideas after a weeklong workshop, sharing solutions that G3CoP will utilize to help create real-world change in the future.
© Conservation International
5 key barriers limiting the widespread adoption and upscaling of green-gray infrastructure:
Limited technical knowledge. Lack of awareness. Policy gaps. Challenges in financing. Cultural resistance.
Our community is actively working to break these barriers together, in the field and on the ground.
Tools and guidance
Coastal green-gray cost-benefit analysis tool
Conservation International developed a coastal Green-Gray Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) Tool to illuminate the business case for green-gray infrastructure and address key knowledge and data gaps that inhibit widespread adoption of these solutions, with initial focus on Mexico, Brazil, Guyana and Suriname.
Green-gray infrastructure playbook
The Playbook defines the roles, responsibilities, and replicable funding and financing models required to develop green-gray infrastructure at scale — and win the game.
Green-gray infrastructure engineering guidance
This work contains recommendations for practical engineering guidelines for the assessment, development and implementation of green-gray infrastructure along Guyana's cost. In addition, it serves as a technical resources document providing the theoretical background for the guidelines.
Engineering guidelines for the 21st century
This paper proposes a path forward by colloborating across disciplines and geographies to design a modern data sharing platform for users to input technical knowledge and data about nature-based solutions projects.
On May 29, 2024, the Global Green-Gray Community of Practice held a webinar highlighting learnings during the evolution of RISCO, or Restoration Insurance Service Company. RISCO is a concept developed by Conservation International to sustainably finance mangrove conservation and restoration. It aims to capture the economic value of mangroves through their protective value and blue carbon payments, and is designed to strengthen community resilience by delivering insurance to underserved people while protecting and restoring mangrove ecosystems.
WEBINAR: Innovative Financing for Nature Based Solutions: RISCO
On May 29, 2024, the Global Green-Gray Community of Practice held a webinar highlighting learnings during the evolution of Resoration Insurance Service Company, RISCO. RISCO is a concept developed by CI to sustainably finance mangrove conservation and resoration.
New living report from the Community of Practice
A tool for identifying, funding, planning, designing, constructing, and monitoring green-gray infrastructure projects to increase the resilience of vulnerable cities, communities, and assets around the world.
Our members include
